Q&A with Cedrik-Marcel Stebe

© Douglas DanielCedrik-Marcel Stebe broke into the Top 100 for the first time in his career in November.

German Cedrik-Marcel Stebe has had a breakthrough season on the 2011 ATP Challenger Tour, winning his first two titles in Bangkok and Shanghai and subsequently breaking into the Top 100 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings in November, having started the year at No. 375.

ATPWorldTour.com caught up with the 21-year-old Stebe at the ATP Challenger Tour Finals in Sao Paulo, where the fifth seed defeated Matthias Bachinger on Thursday.

It's been a great season for you on the ATP Challenger Tour, winning your first two titles. What have you improved this season? 
I just continued working hard, with a lot of sacrifice, working on my fitness, and all that came together and made me a much better player today.

There are three German players this week at the ATP Challenger Tour Finals. Does that show the depth in this generation in your country?
It's getting better. There was a lack of players in the Top 50, Top 100 for a while, but we're getting stronger and better, and hopefully soon we will have again a Top 10 player.

What do you think about the inaugural ATP Challenger Tour Finals?
It's a big tournament. I hope it continues growing with many more important players and it keeps getting better in the future. It's a great challenge.

How do Challengers help players reach the bigger stages on the ATP World Tour?
It's a good step, you earn a lot of points and there are so many tournaments that you can make it to the Top 100 with these tournaments. It's a good start if you want to become a better player.

What is your goal for 2012?
I'll try to get to the Top 50, Top 60 or otherwise just keep working and trying to improve to reach that goal.